SEQUIM — While the 2019 novel coronavirus has canceled a number of local events, birders can look forward to getting outdoors to participate in the annual Clallam County Birdathon, set for May 9.
Hosted by the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society (OPAS), the birdathon is a day to tally birds throughout Clallam County, with sponsors donating funds based on the number of birds or bird species tallied (rather than miles walked or laps completed).
Funds raised support many local Audubon programs, from printing the OPAS newsletter (“Harlequin Happenings”) to supporting conservation programs to insurance for field trips.
The event also provides a one-day snapshot of birds in the region, which is renowned for having the highest number of species seen in Washington state, Audubon members said.
The 2019 Birdathon in Clallam County saw 79 participants in 42 parties count 15,429 individual birds and 177 species.
Jefferson County has not scheduled a birdathon because of Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-home order, said Rick Jahnke, president of the Admiralty Audubon Society.
May 9 is also World Migratory Bird Day, celebrating birds around the world on the second Saturday in May.
To participate in Birdathon or to find out more about the count, visit olympicpeninsulaaudubon.org or facebook.com/Olympic PeninsulaAudubonSociety.
Donate at olympicpeninsulaaudubon.org/donate.
